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What Characterizes a System Builder? The Role of Local Energy Companies in Energy System Transformation

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  • Jenny Palm

    (Department of Thematic Studies—Technology and Social Change, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden)

  • Magdalena Fallde

    (Department of Thematic Studies—Technology and Social Change, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden)

Abstract

This article focuses on the development of sustainable energy systems in the Swedish local context and, specifically, on the actors that have proved to be crucial for such transitions: municipally owned energy companies. With the theoretical lens inspired by LTS‘s (large technical systems), the concept of the system builder was analyzed for the purpose of further understanding what characterizes the system builder—a frequently used but seldom problematized concept. This paper originates from earlier studies based on interviews and official documents. In this article, the municipal energy company and its role throughout the processes is used to illustrate how system builders act and can influence the development of energy systems. Three examples are used to illustrate how system building has been enabled through controlling the objectives and visions of the local energy planning, through enrolling the city council, and finally through recognizing the opportunity to expand the market through the coordination of systems. In this case, the system builder was characterized by the ability to act as a collective, as one unit, despite the multitude of individuals representing the organization, by the use of skills and knowledge in different policy processes, and by the ability to recognize opportunities in combining different sociotechnical systems. The need for system builders to act on expanding as well as stagnating systems is also shown.

Suggested Citation

  • Jenny Palm & Magdalena Fallde, 2016. "What Characterizes a System Builder? The Role of Local Energy Companies in Energy System Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:3:p:256-:d:65441
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Miller, Roger, et al, 1995. "Innovation in Complex Systems Industries: The Case of Flight Simulation," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 4(2), pages 363-400.
    2. Peredo, Ana María & McLean, Murdith, 2006. "Social entrepreneurship: A critical review of the concept," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 56-65, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anne-Marie Coles & Ian Clarke & Athena Piterou, 2023. "A “poor man’s carriage”: system building and social interactivity in UK urban tramway development, 1860–1890," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 32(3), pages 605-621.
    2. Amelia Mutter, 2019. "Obduracy and Change in Urban Transport—Understanding Competition Between Sustainable Fuels in Swedish Municipalities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Hou, Yanliang & Long, Ruyin & Chen, Hong & Zhang, Linling, 2018. "Research on the sustainable development of China’s coal cities based on lock-in effect," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 479-486.
    4. Zoltán Csedő & Máté Zavarkó & Balázs Vaszkun & Sára Koczkás, 2021. "Hydrogen Economy Development Opportunities by Inter-Organizational Digital Knowledge Networks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-26, August.

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